Holidays

Creamy Flan Recipe

21 · Dec 1, 2013 · 3 Comments

This post brought to you by Eagle Brand // I LOVE FLAN! I don't know if I can emphasize that enough. My Mom has made flan for years and it has become a bit of a holiday tradition. All be it, a rather non-traditional holiday tradition. Most people don't correlate Flan, a creamy custard like dessert with strong Latin roots with Christmas, but they should! It's so easy to make and the creamy custard with the caramelized sugar is just lovely.

Ingredients for Flan Recipe

1 cup sugar

1 14 oz. can of Eagle Brand™ Sweetened Condensed Milk

1 12 oz. can of Carnation® Evaporated Milk

6 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

pinch of salt

Directions for Flan

Caramelize sugar by putting it into a saucepan and melting the sugar until it becomes caramel. Try to avoid stirring the sugar, just swirl the pan. If you stir the sugar it could cause sugar crystals to form in your caramel. When the sugar has fully caramelized, pour into the bottom of your oven safe ramekins or a 8×8 baking dish.

Set aside and let cool while you are mixing the custard.

In your mixing bowl, combine the Eagle Brand™ Milk, Carnation® Evaporated Milk, eggs, vanilla and salt and whisk together well.

Pour custard into your dish or ramekins right on top of the caramel.

Next, you will need to heat some water. Place your ramekins or baking dish into a larger baking dish. Pour the hot water into the dish up to the middle of the custard dishes.

This is called a Bain Maria or hot water bath.

Place in a 300˚ oven for one hour or until the custard has set. Remove from oven and let cool for 10-20 minutes. If you are using ramekins, you can then invert the flan out on a plate at this point. Or, you can let it chill and serve later.

We really like to serve it with whipped cream and berries… SUPER yum!!

The folks at Eagle Brand would LOVE to help make your holidays a little sweeter. They are offering a fabulous GIVEAWAY!!

Click HERE to visit the GIVEAWAY!!

Disclaimer // This post is sponsored by Eagle Brand™ Sweetened Condensed Milk. I received a KitchenAid Mixer and product to help create this post.

Three Tips for Picture Perfect Pie Crust

15 · Nov 27, 2013 · 109 Comments

This post brought to you by Crisco // When I was about 14 years old, I had a wise woman in my life, her name was Mrs. Robinson, who gave me some great advice… When in the kitchen, learn how to make one thing REALLY well. If you love chocolate cake, learn how to make the best chocolate cake. If you love pies, learn how to make the best pie out there. She said that if you have one really good dessert recipe, you could catch any guy you want. LOL!! Well, I decided that I wanted to make the perfect pie. To be more specific, I wanted to learn how to make the perfect pie crust. That way I could have several more options when it came to my man catching baking skills!

I have to say, I got pretty good at it. I was always called on to make the pies in my house during the holidays and after many attempts after awhile, they turned out nice and flaky every time. Then I met my so-to-be husband and boy was she right… He loved pies. All kinds of pies… Blueberry, Peach, Cherry & Apple. I was golden… Thank you Mrs. Robinson!!

Recently, I was asked by the lovely folks at Crisco to become a Crisco Pie Partner and I was thrilled. I'm excited for two reasons… I'm excited to share some of my hard earned pie tips and tricks with you, and that I could also honor my friend Mrs. Robinson, who has since passed on by sharing her sweet advice with all of you. So here you have it… Some tricks to making Picture Perfect Pie Crust EVERY TIME thanks to Mrs. Robinson.

With the holidays here, we are all gearing up to do all kinds of holiday baking and pies are always on the list. However, many of us have taken to using store bought frozen pie crust and my friends… it's just not the same. We have been tricked into thinking that pie crust is hard to make and it's not. It's really rather easy if you follow a few basic principles. Here are my tried and true pie crust secrets…

Tip #1 // Selecting the Right Ingredients

For years the debate with pie crust has been, which fat is better… Butter, Crisco or Lard? After MANY years of making pies and trying each option myself, I hands down select Crisco shortening every time. It just seems to make the lightest, flakiest crust each time. Sometimes I will do half butter, half Crisco if I'm wanting that buttery flavor but I always use Crisco or even the butter flavored Baking Sticks. The recipe I'm using today is your simple basic pie crust using just flour, salt, Crisco and water…

It's super simple click HERE to visit the recipe page. Can I just take a minute and thank Crisco for coming up with the Baking Sticks… I LOVE them!! No mess, no fuss and the measuring is done for you. PERFECT!!

Tip #2 // Cold Ingredients are your Friend

The absolute key to making good crust is to use COLD ingredients. I place my Crisco Baking Sticks in the freezer for a few hours before hand and I use ice cold water when mixing the crust. I also try not to touch the dough too much with my warm hands. That will also cause the dough to warm up and you don't want that.

The reason why you want things to stay cold is… You want your Crisco to stay solid and in small little pieces within the crust. When those little nuggets are hit by the heat in the oven that is what makes those flaky little pockets in the crust that we love so much. Without those little gems, your crust will turn out solid and tough and not a whole lot of fun to eat.

To start, I place my flour and salt in a large bowl. Then I remove the Crisco from the freezer and cut it into small pieces…

Sometimes, I even stick the Crisco back in the freezer for a few minutes after I have cut it, in order for it to chill again. Then I place my shortening into the bowl with my flour and salt. Using a pastry cutter I cut the Crisco into the flour…

Again, you want to make sure to leave your shortening in small little pea size pieces so don't over work.

Tip #3 // The Key is a Light Hand

When it comes to working with this kind of dough. a light hand is key. Don't over mix the Crisco into the flour. Next, you will lightly fold in the cold ice water into the dough. I use a rubber spatula at this stage and gently fold in the water starting with one tablespoon and slowly mixing it just until the dough starts to come together. Again… light hand here. The more you mix the tougher the dough will be.

For this crust, the recipe calls for 3-6 tablespoons of water. I ended up using 4 but, that will depend on your environment where you are baking. You may need more, you may need less. Then I pour the loose dough out onto a clean board and this is what it should look like…

Now, this is the one step where I will quickly use my hands. I carefully pull the dough together and form it into a disk like so…

Then I wrap it in plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes. Once it has chilled again, than I am ready to roll it out. On a clean floured surface I roll out my dough. I carefully turn the dough after a few passes with the rolling pin, to ensure that the dough doesn't stick to the board. You may even need to turn it and flour your surface a few times. But, be careful not to over flour.

Then using your rolling pin as a handy tool… roll the dough onto your pie plate…

I trim my edges a bit and then crimp my edges using my two finger pinching method…

Now, you have the perfect canvas for any pie that you can dream up…

Not sure what to make? Crisco has you covered! Here are some fabulous resources for creating the perfect pie…

You can call the Crisco Pie Hotline 1-877-FOR PIE TIPS (877-367-7438) for all kinds of around the clock PIE help this holiday season!
Crisco has a Picture Perfect Pie Pinterest board that has all kinds of fabulous recipes.
The Crisco Kitchen has teamed up with Michele Stuart owner of Michele's pies in Connecticut, she is over at Crisco's site sharing all kinds of fun pie tips and ideas.
Crisco is hosting a fun Rate & Review contest for a chance to win a Michele Stuart pie prize pack. Visit the Rate & Review site to rate your favorite pie for a chance to win!

I hope Crisco and I have inspired you to pass on the freezer pie crust and try your hand in a truly homemade pie. I promise, if you follow these tips you will blow your family away with your scrumptious pies this year! In order to do just that… Crisco is giving away a fabulous Perfect Pie Prize Pack to one of you!! Here is what you will win…

A Prize Pack valued at $200!! Follow the directions in the Rafflecopter box below to enter. This giveaway is open to those with a shipping address within the United States and will be open from November 27-January 2 with the winner announced on January 3rd.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer // This post is sponsored by Crisco. I did receive payment for development of this post.

40+ Fabulous Thanksgiving Ideas

1 · Oct 30, 2013 · 7 Comments

40+ Thanksgiving Ideas //

Can you believe that it's already time to start thinking about Thanksgiving?! Today I'm sharing some of the best of Thanksgiving from around blogland, everything from decorating, to table settings, amazing dishes, and even what to do with those leftovers! Enjoy!!

DIY Placemats / Thanksgiving Pies & Beautiful Color Palette / Simple, Rustic Table Setting

Simple Thankful Garland / Silverware Stem Pumpkins / Simple Thanksgiving Bunting

Wood Slice Chalkboard Menu / Mini Cornucopias / Book Page Leaf Garland

Pumpkin Praline Trifle / Muffin Tin Pumpkin Pies / Salted Caramel Pumpkin Parfaits

15 Minute Salted Maple Butter / Fall Breads / Pumpkin Spice Soup

Glitter Leaf Garland / Turkey & Dot Garland / Pinecone Garland

Simple Bottles & Candles Centerpiece / Gold Leaf Pumpkin Place Cards / DIY Fall Leaf Place Cards

Pilgrim Crayon Cup / Simple Kids' Table Setting / Feather Head Dress

"Best Stuffing Ever" / Roasted Brown Sugar & Rosemary Squash / Cornbread Cranberry Dressing

Stamped Serve Ware / Metallic Dipped Serving Utensils / Thanksgiving Muffin Wrapping

DIY Chalkboard Table Runner / Eclectic Fall Tablescape / DIY Linens

Thanksgiving Mantel / Wood Slice Cake Stands / DIY Tepee Decorations

Thanksgiving Leftover Pizza / Perfect Crock Pot Apples / Pumpkin Spice Muddy Buddies

Chalkboard Printables / Subway Printables / Give Thanks Printables

Simple, Rustic Decor / Gobble Sign / Book Page Wreath

DIY Thanksgiving Garland

0 · Oct 28, 2013 · 10 Comments

DIY Thanksgiving Garland //

Hi Whipperberry readers! Haley here, from Life Is Sweet. I can't resist festive garlands, and this year I made a few! I'm enjoying them on our mantle, but any of these would be great on bookshelves, windows, railings, or just up on the wall. Two embraced the feeling of autumn and one embraced the wonderful holiday coming up next month, Thanksgiving! Jenn said it perfectly in her post of her fabulous Thanksgiving Centerpiece–it's a beautiful time of year dedicated to expressing gratitude for blessings, surrounding yourself with loved ones, and making and enjoying great food!

The first two garlands I'm sharing how to make are pretty simple. The leaf garland just calls for needle+thread along with leaves bought from the craft store (I've tried displaying real fallen leaves but they shriveled and lost their color within a couple days). The second one calls for needle+string and pompoms. I happened to find my pom balls at a thrift store (cheers to pre-loved nick-nacks!) but you can order felt poms in an array of colors from Hello Maypole. Then string away!

The "Give Thanks" garland takes a little more work, but is still very doable and you can create whatever message you'd like!

SUPPLIES:

Black cardstock

Scissors

White color pencil

Pencil

Rope/String

Paper hole-punch

Pencil sharpener (not pictured)

Ruler (or Colorbök Scrapbook paper pack has a ruler on the back)

You'll first want to decide the shape and size you want your garland pieces to be–pentagons, triangles, rectangles, circles, etc. Mine are pentagon-shaped that measured out to be 7.5 inches tall and 5.5 inches wide.

For a pentagon shape you cut off two corners–the two short sides of mine measured 2.75 inches and 2.5 inches. Then use that pentagon to trace the rest of the pieces you need–I got two out of each 12×12 inch sheet.

I used a pencil to lightly sketch out the letters (after typing out "GIVE THANKS" in a Word document and chose the two fonts I liked: Snell Roundhand Black and Baskerville Old Face). But stencils would be another great way to get the letters on the garland. You'll then use the white colored pencil to fill in the letters. I loved how it gave it a fun chalk look, without the mess and I was able to be more precise. Now is when the pencil sharpener will come in handy.

You'll use a hole punch to put holes in the top corners of your garland pieces. I used a three-hole punch, and the spacing worked great for me to punch two at a time. Then string them up!

I hung/displayed all three garlands using good ol' scotch tape and, because my mantel is white, colored the tape with a white Painters marker (purchased at Walmart) so it's a bit camouflaged. 😉

Thanks again Heather for having me!

xo, Haley